The Truth About Sunscreen

Yahoo Shine recently posted an article exposing the truth about sunscreens. Many of the sunscreens on the market do not carry ingredients to protect agains both UVA and UVB rays. I’ve been aware of this for awhile, but since not everyone is a skin freak like me, I thought I’d reiterate what this article talked about and bring awareness to my readers (you!).

SPFs higher than 50: are basically pointless. Also, SPFs really only protect you from UVB rays.

Sunscreen sprays: are harmful for the environment, don’t use them.

Stuff to avoid: anything containing Oxybenzone (associated with allergic reactions and is a hormone disruptor) and Retinyl Palmitate (a form of vitamin A). Pimple creams and zit zappers usually have Retinyl in them (to kill the bacteria causing the pimple) so if you do use one of those products, be sure to wear lots of sunscreen the next couple of days to protect your skin.

“I’m black, so I don’t need SPF”: whether you can pass for Casper the Friendly Ghost or are of African descent, EVERYONE needs SPF. I found out from my dermatoligist that dark skin has a natural SPF of 15. That’s nothing. All my dark-skinned girls out there, please slather on some SPF 30!

Here’s a list of safe, affordable sunscreens that the Environmental Working Group (EWG, a research and advocacy group) recommends: